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THE AUSTRALIAN LOCAL GOVERNMENT YEARBOOK EDITION 23 • 19
AROUND THE NATION
Cuts campaign in partnership with councils and other
stakeholder groups. With a united voice, we jumped this hurdle,
and the federal government has agreed to fund the five hours
until 2017. This outcome has saved parents from unsustainable
fee increases, and the prospect of their children missing out
on kindergarten in the event that it became unaffordable for
average families. With no guarantees of funding beyond 2017,
we will need to continue rigorous advocacy with whichever
political party is elected later this year.
One of our aims is to ensure the continued operation of
vital services delivered by councils that are jointly funded by
other levels of government. As Victoria moves into an era of
rate capping, it's now even more imperative that councils avoid
funding black holes that negatively impact the delivery of core
community services including kindergartens, libraries, maternal
and child health, and home and community care (HACC).
Following successful lobbying in 2013--14, the sustainability
of HACC services was improved, with the delivered meal subsidy
doubled by the Victorian Government. Delivered meals are relied
upon by the elderly and those with ill health or disabilities, and
the additional funding makes it more affordable for hundreds of
thousands of Victorians who contribute a small co-payment for
healthy, nutritious meals delivered to their homes. With councils
across Victoria responsible for delivering the bulk of 2.5 million
meals each year, this is one service that is relied upon by some of
our most vulnerable community members. Funding is provided
by all three levels of government, and strong relationships are
crucial for the model to work.
More recently, we've been able to reach an agreement with
the Commonwealth on joint initiatives that have often been
challenged by changes in both government and policy. We've
also successfully reached funding agreements, despite dealing
with opposing political parties at the state and federal level.
In 2013, the Commonwealth agreed to take over
management of HACC services from the state government as
part of an agreement to roll out a National Disability Insurance
Scheme. The MAV has played a key role in working towards
a smooth transition process for HACC recipients of services
including delivered meals, domestic assistance and personal care.
In late 2015, our advocacy contributed to the state and
federal government bilateral agreement, solidifying its intent to
retain the increased funding contribution, and guaranteed that
the benefits of the Victorian HACC service system would remain
in place until at least 2019. We are now working on the signing
of a statement of intent between the three tiers to recognise
the role of local government in Victoria as a planner, developer,
funder and deliverer of home care services for older people.
There will be more hurdles to jump to ensure that strong,
sustainable public services are offered for kindergartens, home
care and many other local services, but we look forward to these
challenges as, ultimately, they result in better outcomes for
Victorian communities.
MAV has rigorously advocated for kindergarten funding